Tonga PM: Spy allegations 'a pity'

The Tonga prime minister says it would be a shame if allegations that the New Zealand government is spying on its Pacific neighbours turn out to be true.

Tonga Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva. Photo: RNZ

The investigative journalist Nicky Hager says the New Zealand Government's Communications Security Bureau is collecting every communication it can find from countries such as Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu and Samoa.

Mr Hager says the GCSB is then sending it to the United States, mostly so New Zealand can stay on side with Washington.

Tonga's prime minister Akilisi Pohiva says it would be disappointing if the accusations are correct.

"It means that New Zealand had breached the trust that had been established between the two countries, but if New Zealand has good reason to believe that it is important for Government to share such information with other countries it is entirely a matter for New Zealand."